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Policies & Guidelines

Bus Regulations

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and North Kansas City Schools use the following rules: 
  1. The Bus Driver shall be in charge of all passengers at all times and shall have authority to assign seats.
  2. Students shall not stand in the traveled portion of the roadway while waiting for the bus. Students should conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting for the bus, away from the traveled portion of the roadway.
  3. When it is necessary for students to cross the street, board or disembark the bus, they must cross a minimum of ten feet in front of the bus on the signal of the driver, NEVER behind the bus. 
  4. Students shall remain seated, facing the front of the bus. No portion of their body should be extended in the aisle or out of the bus window. 
  5. The following items are not permitted on the bus:  tobacco products of any type, vape devices, alcohol, drugs, any illegal or controlled substance, weapons of any type (including guns, knives or gun or knife look-alikes, explosive devices, fireworks), matches, lighters, animals, insects of any type, skateboards, large instruments, plants, balloons, bats, balls, golf clubs, glass containers, or any other object that may harm another student.
  6. Students shall not throw items inside the bus or out of the bus windows.
  7. The aisles and exits shall be clear at all times. Students may not open or close any door except in an emergency. 
  8. Vandalizing the bus or any of its equipment is prohibited and restitution may be required to repair/replace said vandalism. 
  9. Due to various allergies, students may not eat or drink on the bus.
  10. Items too large to be held safely while students are seated may be stored in a designated area. If that cannot be done safely, the student must make other arrangements for transporting these items. Many large instruments are not transportable on the bus, please see your school’s instrument teacher for a complete list.
  11. Electronic devices are to be used in a courteous, responsible, and appropriate manner. When listening to any of these devices, the student MUST have earbuds or headphones. If these electronic devices cause any type of disruption or distraction, they may be taken by the bus driver/aide for the duration of the bus ride, but will be returned at the student’s stop.

 

Free Transportation

Transportation is provided free for students living one (1) or more miles from their school of attendance. Additionally, transportation for students residing less than one (1) mile from their school of attendance is available only in areas that the Board has determined to be unreasonably hazardous. If your child is using an alternate address please fill out the appropriate form located on the district web site and turn into Transportation. (BOE Policy EEA)

Paid Transportation

Paid transportation is available on scheduled routes on a “space-available” basis for students residing less than one (1) mile from school. Bus routes cannot be altered for paid riders. Application for paid transportation must be submitted each year. (BOE Policy EEA)

Assigned Bus Stops

Each student is assigned a designated bus stop. Students are permitted to ride a different route only after a “Request for Alternate Transportation” form has been submitted and approved. When an alternate route request is approved, service on the original route is discontinued. On rare occasions, parents request that their children be permitted to board or disembark the school bus at some place other than their designated stop. The school district policy and Missouri state law for these special situations is as follows:

  1. These exceptions will be made only for students who are already authorized transportation. Students who are not authorized riders cannot be transported.
  2. Written permission from the student’s parent or guardian must be received and approved by the building principal.
  3. The stop requested must be a designated stop on an existing route.
  4. If the request involves the student riding another bus, the request will be granted only if there is adequate room for the additional rider.
  5. Special requests will be approved only for emergency childcare purposes. Permission will not be granted for transportation to jobs, scouts, parties, etc.

Walk Distances to Bus Stops

School bus routes are designed to comply with guidelines established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students walk to central pickup locations. Buses are routed in a safe and efficient manner. State regulations prohibit the routing of school buses into dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs. For more information about bus schedules and routes, contact your school or Transportation Services at 816-321-5460.


Walking distances to and from bus stops are as follows:

  • Elementary students: up to three city blocks.
  • Sixth Grade and Middle School Students: up to four city blocks.
  • High School Students: up to five city blocks.

Special Services

Transportation service is available for students with disabilities. For information, call the Department of Special Education at 816-413-3848. 

Bus Expectations

The Basic Guidelines

  1. Students are expected to be at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled bus stop time, and be visible to the driver.
  2. Every Pre-K thru 8th-grade student will be assigned a seat on the bus, which will be noted on a seating chart, students are expected to sit in that seat properly. High school student could be assigned seats at the driver's discretion. All seating charts are filed electronically for the Administrator’s reference. Students having difficulty staying in their assigned seats, and having multiple bus discipline referrals for such actions, may be put into an appropriate securement, with parental consent, as a consequence of the referral. Changing seating arrangements are the driver’s prerogative, dependent upon behavior and the best/safest location for a given student. All Students are expected to stay in their assigned seat, sitting properly, for the duration of the ride.
  3. Every student will be expected to talk in a level 1 voice while riding the bus. 
  4. As every bus is an extension of the classroom, any behavior or action that is not permissible in class or school, also will not be permissible on the bus.
  5. Bus behavior commitments are reviewed with all students.
  6. Every Pre-k thru 8th grade student must have a Zpass card while riding the bus. If a student has a Zpass card, they are expected to scan their card, getting on and off the bus-for their safety and protection. 

Bus Disciplinary Procedures

 

Riding the bus is a privilege. Students are expected to conform to a reasonable standard of conduct, should the student choose to misbehave or jeopardize the general welfare of those on the bus, the following procedures may be put into place: 

  1. Every effort will be made by the Driver to improve the disruptive and/or unsafe behavior, prior to writing a bus discipline referral.
  2. Upon repeated occurrences of disruptive and/or unsafe behavior, the Driver will submit a “Bus discipline Referral” for the student(s) involved, to Transportation Administrator and the Building Administrator. The Building Administrator will determine what disciplinary action should be taken. Copies of the referral will be sent to the parents for their signature and to Transportation Services. 

 

Universal Positive Behavior Intervention Supports

Every bus rider will be expected to observe this district-wide strategy on the bus as it is in school: “We are SAFE, RESPECTFUL, AND RESPONSIBLE.” These expectations will be posted, defined, and taught on every bus. 

Harassment

Each child should experience a safe ride to school free from threats or intimidation. Sexual comments, gestures, or actions by students to other students will be considered sexual harassment and a violation of district policy. Racial/ethnic harassment is a violation of district policy. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Confirmed violations will be referred to a Building Administrator for action. You can help by reminding your child about appropriate behavior. If your child is experiencing harassment, please have them report it to the bus driver, school administrator, and/or Transportation.

Cameras on Buses

In an effort to maintain order and discipline, buses are equipped with video and audio surveillance systems. Due to confidentiality, parents will not be allowed to view the video without approval from the district's General Counsel. 

Securements

Students not meeting the NHTSA guidelines of greater than 40 lbs OR 5-years-old will be required to be in an appropriate securement. Any other use of a securement must be approved by a parent/guardian in either an IEP/504 setting or by filling out a Securement Agreement (see school for forms). All Pre-K and Early Childhood students will remain in a securement for the duration of the school year.  

Zpass Cards

Every Pre-K thru 8th grade student will be issued a Zpass card in conjunction with their bus information tag. This card creates an electronic record of when the student enters and exits the bus. Parents/guardians may opt-out. If the student loses this card & tag or replaces their backpack, please have student report to office for replacement. 

Guidelines for Transporting Musical Instruments on a Bus

The following instruments are NOT transported on NKC School District buses except as noted.
Note: Parents will be required to find transportation to and from school for any large instruments on this list and/or like-sized instruments and their cases, not included on this list.